Cilla's back

So it’s definitely not true. We haven’t seen the last of Cilla Black shooting her bow and arrow at the numerous, excitable young contestants and the occasional bunch of older singles on Blind Date as she’s back for the 18th series of the much-loved dating show.

Rumours that she was to be replaced by daytime talk show host Trisha Goddard have proved unfounded and Black, 59, is making sure that everyone knows she’s here to stay. But does she think there will come a time when she will be replaced?

"No, not really," she says flippantly, with a sly smile on her face. "I remember Alan Boyd, head of Pearson which owns Blind Date, said that there are three sacred cows in Blind Date; the three stools, the screen and the Cilla Black. I’ve been called some things in my life but never a sacred cow."

While these three 'sacred cows' have been treated as such, viewers might have a bit of a shock when they tune in on Saturday night, for the show has been revamped somewhat. New features include the picker having to ditch one of the hopefuls after just two questions. Then a crunch question helps the picker decide which one of the remaining two they go on a date with.

But it doesn’t end there. Once they’ve chosen and met their date, they still have the opportunity to change their minds and Black asks them whether they want to date or ditch, and go for the other contestant instead.

"The fellas get more upset than the girls when they’re ditched, the girls are so cool," says Black. "Before it happens the girls try to sell themselves and the audience are shouting for the man to either date or ditch. So they stand there flicking their hair and trying to look good but as soon as the guy says ditch, they give up.

"I’ll ask if they’re upset and they’ll just go ‘Are you kidding?’ and walk off. But the boys are really mortified, they can’t take it. I have to say the boys ditch more than the girls, guys always think the grass is greener on the other side."

Other changes include the loss of ‘our Graham’, the disembodied but authoritative voice who would summarise each hopeful before the picker chose their date. Instead DJ Tommy Shandu, who was once a contestant himself, is doing the new voiceovers. Black says she is sad that Graham Skidmore has gone after 18 years.

"It was a different concept so it wasn’t right to have him," she explains. "I was upset though, because, even though in 18 years I only saw him four times, he has been to my house and whenever we see each other we’d fling our arms around each other. But when people see the show in its entirety they’ll understand why he had to go."

The other big change is the inclusion of surprise celebrity dates. On the first show viewers will see student Sally Bradbury unwittingly choose a date from the four boys in boy band Blue. While the band were on the show, Black formed a close bond with them.

"I love having the celebrities on, it’s so great working with professionals," she laughs. "I loved working with Blue. We’re really good friends now but I couldn’t go to Duncan’s mother’s housewarming because I was busy. They’re very sweet boys and they’ve promised to be my backing vocalists on one or two tracks on my new album."

It’s 30 years since Black was a big pop star but now, as she approaches 60, she’s making a bid for more chart success. Her interest in music was rekindled when her hit Step Inside Love was remixed for the new series of Blind Date and she re-recorded the vocals for it. Now she’s working on a new album that will feature updated versions of her old hits and some new songs.

"I had so much fun re-recording Step Inside Love I ended up staying in the studio until four in the morning because it was so much fun," she says. "I hadn’t been in a studio for 10 years before that and now I can’t wait to go back."

As well as a hectic work life, Black is also enjoying a busy social life. Since her husband Bobby Willis died two years ago from cancer, Black has spent most of her time with her fellow showbiz pals Dale Winton, Christopher Biggins and Paul O’Grady, aka Lily Savage. But while she’s happy to dole out the romance on Blind Date, there isn’t any in her own life.

"I’m not really looking, have you looked at 60-year-old men lately?" she laughs. "I could go younger, they do have the energy. But they don’t have the intellect."

She admits she misses Willis, especially the advice he gave her on certain aspects of her career.

"I miss him in every way. I miss him talking to me about things like lighting, which I never think about, make-up, outfits. I do have a team of professionals that I really, really trust. My stylist knows my body better than Bobby did," she laughs.

"Bobby could never find a good outfit for me. I remember him buying a pink negligee from Harrods and it cost him about £600 (€960). I looked like actress Anna Neagle in it. It wasn’t for me."

As she reaches hr 40th year in showbiz next year, Black is to tell all in an autobiography, which has the working title of Cilla: What’s It All About? She says it won’t have any shocks in it but it will reveal more of her personality. With all her success there will be plenty to talk about but there is one thing that Black hasn’t achieved in her career.

"I’ve always banged on that I’d love to crack America," she sighs. "I’ve always wanted success there. I’ve missed many opportunities that I had back in the 60s but I was just so homesick for my mum and dad. If there’s one regret in my life then that’s it."